Sunday, August 5, 2007

Howdy!! What a naturally stunning Canadian gem of a town! Banff, Alberta is gorgeous and a place where folks can participate in many healthy activities. We have hiked Sulfur Mountain, trekked the Bow Falls and navigated the foaming waters of the Bow River in Golden, B.C. in a raft. At this moment I am sipping a much anticipated glass of red wine with my daughters and enjoying the view of majestic Mount Norquay. I am completely exhausted but it feels marvellous.

My 16 year old daughter Kelsey-Lynn has been dancing at the Banff Center here in Banff. Talk about fitness! Sixty two young people from all over Canada and the US auditioned and have been accepted into this gruelling dance training program. They dance every day from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm and still have energy to party at night. I am impressed!

Rachel and Kiersten, my older two daughters, are staying in the West and taking a two week tour of British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Arizona and Nevada. All this before starting back to school in September. Chelsea will head off to camp pretty soon too.

I am working on more books but not tonight. We are settling in for a girls' night before we go our separate ways tomorrow. Party on!

Thursday, August 2, 2007

My family and I will be trekking to Banff, AB this weekend to see my daughter perform for the Banff Center for the Arts. Clean Eating can be a breeze when you have all the comforts of home, but travelling offers some challenges. Before we leave for the airport I will pack a cooler full of clean foods to have at the ready. It can be difficult to find healthy food in the airport where muffin stands and greasy food courts abound. When travelling internationally you cannot bring fresh fruits or lean meats across customs. Keep this in mind when you are packing your own cooler for the airport. Try nuts and even protein shakes. Veggie wraps should be fine, too.

Once arriving in your destination keep an eye out for healthy dining options. Most menus offer something related to Clean Eating. Don't be afraid to ask the waiter or waitress to modify your order to your Clean-Eating standards. I am most looking forward to trying some new lean protein options, such as elk, caribou, buffalo and, of course, bison. Seek out new and exciting menu choices during your next vacation, too. Clean Eating doesn't have to be boring and repetitive, so give your meals a twist.

Remember that vacation doesn't mean a vacation from your lifestyle choices... keep up with Clean Eating... I'll be doing it right along with you.